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    By The Riverside peppers this Bengaluru home with a generous play of colours and maximalism

    SEP 29, 2022 | By Pratishtha Rana
    Two blue hand-painted bookcases provide symmetry in the living room, with a charming nod to the Middle Ages in the mantel and candle stand that are set against the wall; Photographs by Nayan Soni
    An archway adorned with Jaisalmer stone serves as an entry into the dining room with a 9ft dining table and 3ft woven-jute chandeliers hanging from the ceiling; Photographs by Nayan Soni

    Crossing the boundaries of conventionality, especially when designing your first home can be liberating in ways that you unearth such design discoveries that make the very soul of the home. 

    Swati Seraan of By The Riverside met an equally passionate-for-design couple who sought a home in Bengaluru that would gently wrap in their liking, personality as well as mindset.

    The foyer is an impressive 8 feet high and serves as a warm introduction to the rest of the house. Vintage vibes are set by the aged, distressed shoe unit and the array of geometric tiles decorating the foyer wall; Photography by Nayan Soni

    The curious brief 

    Swati envisioned this for the family and crafted the most elegant yet rustic house, generously awash with a diverse colour story of bright and pastel hues  seen throughout. “It’s rare enough to have clients who are willing to experiment with a theme in their primary home,” iterates the designer. With their background underlined with nostalgic moments in Kolkata, the owners also brought in some art from the city in the east to stay close to their roots.

    A retro-styled desk has been set up in the alcove beside the stairs; Photography by Nayan Soni

     

    Two blue hand-painted bookcases provide symmetry in the living room, with a charming nod to the Middle Ages in the mantel and candle stand that are set against the wall; Photography by Nayan Soni

    Tour the many spaces of the home…

    If vintage was ever reinvented in the modern age, its elements would somewhere be identical to this Bengaluru abode. Stepping inside, an eight ft foyer begins to outline the home with geometric tiles, dated shoe unit, mirror panelled brackets and wall mounted lights. 

    Next to the stairs, a retro-esque study table twins with a mock postbox, bringing the quirkiness out of the idea of a grand, rustic home. Swati points out, “what catches the eye most is the wall, which doesn’t need an introduction. It was not an easy feat; each stone weighs about 50 kilograms and it took 2 weeks to complete.”

    An archway adorned with Jaisalmer stone serves as an entryway into the dining room with a royal 9-foot dining table and 3ft woven-jute chandeliers hanging from the ceiling; Photography by Nayan Soni

     

    Beyond the arch, the kitchen is a riot of colour. This area is bold and not hesitant to use colour; while the greenish island in the middle of the kitchen, the red cabinet, and the blue window shutters are a lovely proclamation of the home’s unfettered character; Photography by Nayan Soni

    The dining zone bears an arched entry studded with Jaisalmer stone. Gaze up, a ceiling panelled with wooden strips absorbs attention with an astutely laid out 9ft dining table and woven jute chandeliers overall.

    Up on the first floor, a cosy family lounge is cooped up with a red wall and Chettinad pillars demanding spotlight. Enter the primary bedroom and the sight of a cantilever stairway surprises alongside the presence of a classic poster bed. 

    The daughter’s bedroom models a distinct inviting mood with its mint and white palette, while the guest bedroom poses in blue tones.

    A lovely window spans the whole of the bed in the daughter’s room, with a colour palette of mint green and white. Her room’s paper lamps and lattice cupboard give it a cohesive look with the rest of the house; Photography by Nayan Soni

     

    The soft pink tones in the room create a soothing atmosphere and suggest a more subdued point of view. Sabyasachi wallpaper, antique end tables, and tall cabinets contribute to the room’s refined atmosphere; Photography by Nayan Soni

    Reclaimed materials and revived furniture!

    The home is soothing as much as it is stunning in its visuals. Using reclaimed and natural materials throughout, Swati elaborates, “Lots of furniture was repurposed from the client’s old home and we also procured from some antique stores.”

    The centrepiece table in the living room is carved to look like the sculpted front of a temple, as a nod to the space’s rustic decor; Photography by Nayan Soni

     

    The family area, located on the ground level, is an inviting space with bright furnishings. The room is defined by a deep red wall adorned with Chettinad pillars; Photography by Nayan Soni